Organ matters - Organs matter!

It's an absolutely amazing story.  Watching the video which Aaron made whilst climbing up to the organ chamber gave an idea of the sheer guts of those guys who worked in impossibly dangerous conditions to lower everything down to ground level.  I hope that those of us on this side of the pond can keep up to date with progress.  A video of the installation and opening recital would be wonderful.

Hats off to all involved in a magnificent project.

Nigel

Sold for £1020.

N

There are some very fine instruments here, and these are only the tip of the iceberg - both on and off the IBO list. 

Of the instruments mentioned above,  I have some anecdotal knowledge of two:  The Hill in the RMB at Chivenor was, according to a conversation I had some weeks ago with Michael Farley, damaged by long-term overheating of the building.  Apparently, the authorities did not heed the advice in this regard from the organ builder, with catestrophic results for the organ.    I was born in Barnstaple and attended Holy Trinity School, where I came to know the church slightly.  I haven't lived there for almost 50 years, but still have family in the area who have told me that the church is now a High Temple of Happy-Clappy-dom.  No doubt they want the space for the dance band.

Very sad.

Nigel

Just found this link on another forum.

Nigel

http://www.aeolianskinner1324.com.

The local Viscount dealer, Geoff North of WM Organs in Highbridge, Somerset, might be able to help you out with bulbs.  I think this is a regular service job for him.  But better to install a pipe organ if you can! 

Compton built some very fine organs.  I particularly like one of his small jobs - the organ in west Bagborough near Taunton.  http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N05510  The original part of the organ - now the Echo - is 1811 Lincoln.  Compton added a second manual in 1925, keeping the beautiful Georgian case intact (but making it deeper) and keeping tracker action.  the whole organ is enclosed and its a beauty.

Nigel

Marvellous news! The toaster lasted for 25 years - this organ will last for centuries.  Laudate Dominum.

Nigel

Roger Taylor, who looks after Downside Abbey organ which uses these illuminated 'drawstops' told me many years ago that he was having great difficulty in getting hold of the correct bulbs.  The Compton organ in All Saints Weston-super-Mare is similar.  I've not played it myself, but it sounds superb in the hands of the resident organist, Christopher Manners, former MD of Percy Daniel & Co.

Nigel

That takes me right back to my young days, when I used to listen to Reg on the Light Programme early on Sunday mornings.

Nigel

Heads up from another board:-

Nigel

http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion/index.php?showtopic=3260&pid=60119&start=0&#entry60119

Eminent Organs have a few advertised on their website:-

http://www.cathedralorgans.com/default.htm

Nigel

The sale has ended early as "the item is no longer available".  I hope this means that thery have either found a buyer or have decided to keep the organ in the church.

Nigel

If I bought it, then I would add a pedalboard permanently coupled to the manual .  Even without a 16',  it would be useful, and it would probably be easy for an electronics whizz to add a digital pedal division.

Nigel

This has just appeared on Ebay.  It sounds interesting - if I hadn't just arranged to buy a small pipe organ then I'd buy it myself.

Nigel

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Single-Manual-Portable-Pipe-Organ-/290585384128?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item43a83d14c0

Quote from: organforumadmin on July 07, 2011, 05:50:09 PM

Quote from: Voix Cynique on July 07, 2011, 04:08:38 PMapparently the Dutch reformed church (or is it the re-reformed church? I can't remember!) are getting into Anglican-style choral services big time and are looking to acquire redundant English organs to complement their Baroque instruments... I wonder why this is?

My friend and colleague from Latvia knows of a number of English organs which have been rescued and rebuilt in Latvian churches, in both Lutheran and RC churches.  The Latvian composer Romaulds Jermaks has been involved with several of these rebuilds.

Nigel

Tres bien!

N

This looks like a similar, but slightly larger organ.  Osmonds built a number of extension organs in the late 60's and 70's, mainly aimed at the market which otherwise might have bought a toaster. I've spent several hours today going through and playing an organ very similar to the one which I'm buying.  Despite it's limitations on paper, it was very satisfying for practice.  I'm going to go for two ranks much more evenly balanced in volume than the standad specification.  I've also found that I'll need to conveyance the larger bass pipes which are currently standing on the rackboard down to floor level, and also find ranks with the lowest notes mitred.  I'm limited by a ceiling height of 89".

Anyway, I've emailed the seller to confirm that I'm buying the organ and hope to collect it later this month.  Johannus 2-manual and pedal Opus 320 toaster for sale!

Nigel

The seller has now confirmed that the height of the organ is 13".

Nigel

Here is the reply I've had from the seller.  I've asked her to recheck the height!

Nigel

the electronic box was added to give more variation of sound as the organ has so few stops. In the documents i have the height as 4ft 2in area is approx 5ft by 4ft. thanks for advice i will see to that later.


- suzieatthewhithys

Many thanks, Tony,

Yes, the organ I'm getting is the same as the one you found on NPOR.  Osmonds made a number of these.  Some were one manual, two ranks - with or wwithout pedal , and the others two manual & pedal with 4 ranks.  I know that Brian Verrier - later of Deane Organs - was involved with the design and installation of many of them.  I know of four locally, one in our parish at Allerford.  I'm going over to play that one again today and take a closer look at how it's put together.

I'll let NPOR know when I get it installed.  It wasn't registered in it's original home, Barnstaple Crematorium.

Nigel

Great job, guys!

Nigel